The award also recognized the Ombudsman's dedication and untarnished record as a public servant.

"I am deeply honored in behalf of the countless men and women in the government who live by the tenets of Melchora Aquino," Morales said.

"I took on the challenge of being the fifth Ombudsman not only to make a significant dent on corruption and impunity in our country but also to disprove my detractors who dissuaded me for the basis of age and gender…more than five years as an Ombudsman I hope and I do believe that I have proven those detractors wrong," she added.